Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Potential Evapotranspiration and Its Sensitivity to Meteorological Factors in Guizhou Province

[Objective] The study aims to discuss the changes of potential evapotran- spiration and its sensitivity to meteorological factors in Guizhou Province, so as to provide important references for assessment of water resources, research of agri- cultural water conservancy and climate change. [Method] Temporal and spatial dis- tribution characteristics of potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province from 1961 to 2010 were analyzed, and the sensitivity of potential evapotranspiration to meteo- rological factors in Guizhou Province was studied through correlation analysis. [Re- sult] On the whole, potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province was higher in the southwest and the west compared with the northeast and the east. In various seasons, it was the highest in summer, followed by spring and autumn, while it was the lowest in winter. In recent 40 years, annual potential evapotranspiration showed an obvious decreasing trend in most stations of Guizhou Province. The main meteo- rological factors influencing changes of potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province were sunshine duration, daily maximum temperature, and daily average relative humidity. [Conclusion] Daily average temperature was not the main meteoro- logical factor affecting changes of potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province, while sunshine duration, daily maximum temperature, and daily average relative hu- midity had important effects on potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province.